<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"><style></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> A small group stood outside of Misha's office. Caroline stood near the door, within earshot. Her hand was on the hilt of the dagger that hung from her belt.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> A short way off Finbar stood alone. His whole body sagging and his ears drooping like a little lost puppy.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Danielle walked up to Finbar and wrapped her arms around him. She rested her head against his chest. "What are you thinking?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lightly. "I don't know what to think. He seems to be reasonable."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "What's wrong with that?" She asked.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I've never seen a reasonable Lutin," he said with an edge of anger and confusion. "He must have some other reason for being here."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Why?" She asked. "Maybe he just wants to meet the man who killed Selig and reward him."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Finbar shook his head, "Why would he want that? Why would he want to reward the man who killed his father?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Danielle looked him in the face. "Selig raped your mother and killed many more. What makes you think he was any better to his fellow lutins?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Finbar looked at her in blunt surprise. "I . . I never thought of that. Misha did tell me that Andwyn and him think Kelrag worked against the Yule assault. Talked several tribes into not joining the attack."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Do you believe it?" she asked calmly.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> He was silent for a moment. and he seemed to be staring into space. "I didn't," Finbar said slowly. "Until now. But I don't see him offering us an alliance out of the goodness of his heart. There must be some other motive."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Of course there is," Danielle responded. "All political alliances and treaties have different motives behind them."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "He probably only means to honor it for a few years," Finbar snarled. "As long as it helps him. When it stops being helpful he'll drop it."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Finbar, my love. Gaining Kelrag as an ally even if only for a few years could help everyone at Metamor. And I do think this Lutin's interest in you is genuine. He's taking a considerable risk coming here. And admit it. Aren't you at least a little bit interested in him? What your brother is like?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Finbar looked down at the floor. "Well, a little bit."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> She smiled and kissed him on the muzzle. "We can't keep fighting them forever. You can't keep fighting forever. It will only lead to you dying before your time. And I couldn't bear the thought of living without you."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Finber didn't speak but hugged her tightly. Then he kissed her tenderly on the muzzle. "All right. For you I will meet him. Misha has given up his wild ways. So can I. But what worries me is Mom."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "She needs to put Selig to rest, to kill him," Danielle said.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Selig is dead," Finbar countered. "I killed him myself."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> She shook her head. "I didn't mean physically. I mean here," she tapped the ferret on the chest. "In her heart."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "She's been trying to kill him there for over twenty years and hasn't succeeded yet," Finbar said with a shake of the head.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>*****************<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> The apartment was quiet. Misha and Caroline had no pressing tasks or problems and the two were enjoying the quiet time together.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "What do you think of this Lutin chief?" The fox asked. "Him coming here to meet with Thomas."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I have the feeling that there is something more to Kelrag doing this than just politics," Caroline said simply. "He seemed pretty sincere about wanting to see Finbar."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "You think so?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "He's taking a considerable risk coming all the way here just to negotiate with the Duke," she explained. "He could have easily sent someone to negotiate for him. But he came himself."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Good point!" Misha commented. "But why? Why care about someone he's never met?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> She shrugged. "Everyone wonders about their family. I have cousins in the south I've never met but I still wonder what they are like."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "We have two problems," Misha said. "Not just Finbar but also his mother."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I think we need to get both to finally sit down with him and talk things over," Caroline said. "For ALL their sakes."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "But how?" The fox asked. "Danielle can get Finbar there but Annelise won't come. We'll have to hold a knife to her throat to get her anywhere near a lutin."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Now that's a good idea," Caroline said.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>*****************<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> Misha never was one for diplomacy and politics. He preferred straight and honest talk but politics and diplomacy was usually neither straight nor honest. But it was better than letting things degenerate into more warfare. Which is why Misha found himself standing in front of Kelrag. The chieftain had set up a massive tent on a hill near Hareford, just outside of arrow range.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "It's an honor to meet you sir," Misha said and bowed to the Lutin.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Kelrag smiled and gave a shallow bow in return. "It's a pleasure to meet an esteemed warrior like yourself."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Thank you for seeing me," Misha said. "I hope the accommodations are to your liking."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I am pleasantly surprised by the warm reception I've gotten from most people," he answered.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "This is a learning experience for all of us," the keeper answered.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "What news of my brother? I do wish to meet him in person."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I have met with some," Misha paused for a moment and pondered his next words. "Complications."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The Lutin general tilted his head to one side. "Serious ones?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Misha shook his head. "It's Finbar."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "He has too much of his father in him," the Lutin responded.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Perhaps but he has too much of his mother in him. With her hates and painful wounds," the fox explained.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Kelrag looked at the fox with a sneer on his face. "We all have our wounds but he's a warrior and can't give in to them."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Agreed. But he has spent his whole life fighting and hating," Misha explained. "For many humans they let it consume them. They only know hate and fighting."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I know many of my own people like that," Kelrag responded. "But if I can raise above the hate. So can he." He growled.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Misha sighed. "A lot of humans would be glad to see peace with your people. Others hate Lutins with a passion and want to see all of them dead."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "And where does Finbar rest?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I'm not sure," Misha answered honestly. "Finbar doesn't know that himself. That's the problem."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I hear you talking but not saying anything," the Giantdowns leader said coldly.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I trust Finbar with my life," Misha said. "We've fought side by side more times than I can count. I trust him like a Faraluch - a Sword Brother. I trust him too much to force him to meet you at the point of a sword. Besides that won't work. He may come but nothing would be accomplished."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "You make him sound weak," Kelrag said.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "He is anything but weak," Misha answered. "He's a ferocious fighter but all he understands is killing. The sword and the knife. A good leader knows when to move with force and when to be more subtle. I haven't lived this long by just blundering around and bullying people. But you already know that. The fact that you are still alive while Selig is dead proves that."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "My father was a powerful warrior and a leader," the Lutin countered in clipped terms. "He led the attack on Metamor itself. Came close to taking it."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "He wasn't taking it for himself," Misha answered. "He was simply working for Nasoj, a human. A true leader knows when to back off and think rather than just blindly attacking." Misha leaned closer to the Lutin chief. "A real leader, a true warrior knows when to take advantage of a distraction. While the ruler is away fighting some distant enemy he strikes close to home and builds his own kingdom."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Kelrag smiled.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Brute force isn't always the way. Selig never learned that lesson but you already have," Misha commented. "I can arrange a private meeting between you and your brother."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Will Finbar be there?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Misha nodded. "I'll make sure of it. He is a friend and I AM his leader. He will follow my orders."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Will his mother be there?" The lutin asked slowly.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Annelise?" The fox asked, surprised. "I was trying to find a way to keep her from NOT meeting you."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I'd like her there as well," he said trying to sound casual but his voice was filled with tension. "Unarmed. There is someone I'd like her to meet."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Misha shook his head, "I can promise she'll be there but not unarmed. The last time we tried to completely disarm her was before the banquet." He gave a yip of laughter. "And she still got three knives past us. I will make sure she behaves herself or at least is reasonably less violent."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>*****************<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> The order from Misha was both blunt and to the point. "Come to my apartment at 2:30pm exactly. Please be sure your mother is there as well."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Both Finbar and Annelise knew that something was going on. Finbar followed orders and made his way to Misha's apartment. Annelise had no intention of following the fox's command but Kyia had other ideas. The spirit of the great building twisted and bent the keep's hallways around her. No matter what she did or which way she went Annelise always wound up back at the door to Misha's apartment. So both mother and son found themselves at the door to the Long Scout leaders home. With much swearing and cursing the woman stared at the door for a long time before stepping inside.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Standing at the far end of the room was Kelrag. His arms were crossed and his face had a hard expression that was impossible to read.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Annelise turned and marched toward the door. "I'm not going to . . ."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Misha was standing next to the door. He didn't speak but simply placed his massive black axe on the floor across the doorway, blocking it.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> She came to a sudden halt and turned to the fox. "Misha."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "No argument from you," Misha ordered. "It's time for you to listen. He pointed to the woman. "It's time for you to heal your wounds."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I don't need your help," Annelise snarled with a look of blind rage on her face.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "All right. You can leave right now and spend the rest of your life with your old nightmares." He picked up his axe, freeing up the exit. "Or you can stay and finally end the pain and stop the nightmares. Like the one you had last night."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "How do you know about that?" She hissed.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I heard you screaming," he answered and waved his hands about in a broad gesture. "The whole castle heard it." Misha stepped closer to her. "Do you honestly want to pass up your only chance of ending the nightmares?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> For once Annelise didn't have an answer. She stood there with a look of confusion on her face.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Misha motioned with his hand through the doorway. "All right come in please."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> A figure stepped into the room. She was only a little taller than Annelise. Her black hair was heavily grayed with age. Her face was lined with wrinkles and several ugly scars. This Lutin was around the same age as Annelise.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Why would I want to talk to any lutin?" she snarled and spit on the ground.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "You were both raped by Selig," Misha answered simply.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Annelise stiffened and the rock hard look of her face crumbled in surprise. For the first time Annelise looked like a frightened and lost little girl.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Hello," the Lutin woman said softly. "My name is Emise."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Annelise," Slowly the woman walked up to the Lutin. "My name is Annelise."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>*****************<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> "How is it going?" Thomas asked nervously. The stallion was standing outside the room with a large group of Keepers, humans and Lutins.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Kelrag and Finbar are onto their twelfth jug of ale," Misha answered. "And Finbar is on the third retelling of how he killed Selig."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "And what of their mothers?" Alberta asked.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "They're still talking," Misha responded. "They'll probably be talking all night."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>***************<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> Two days later Kelrag Arthedain left Metamor and headed back into the Giantdowns. With him were the one hundred and twenty people who had come with him. The agreement he had reached with Thomas was as simple. "The Duke of Metamor and his people agree to neutrality with the kingdom of Arthedain. The forces of both sides will not attack the other and will respect the borders of the other." There was a lot of room for mistakes and manipulating by both sides but it was a start. For everyone it was a chance for a fresh start.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>The End<o:p></o:p></div></body></html>